“The indicator cards taken at various intervals gave 796 horse power, and the revolutions did not exceed 160 at any time, though it was estimated that 900 horse power and 210 revolutions would be necessary to attain the requisite delivery.  So that there is a large reserve of power available at any time.

“The erection of this massive machinery has been admirably done.  The parts, as sent from the shops of the contractor, have matched in all cases without interference here; and, when lowered into place, its final adjustment was then made without the use of chisel or file, and has never been touched since.

“The joints of the steam and water connections were perfect, and the method of concentrating all valves, waste pipes, and important movements at the post of the engineer in charge gives him complete control of the whole system of each engine and pump without leaving his place, and reduces to a minimum the necessary attendance.  All the parts are strong and of excellent design and workmanship; simple, and without ornamentation.

     “Looking down upon them from a level of the pump house
     gallery, they are impressive and massive in their simplicity.

“The government is well worth of congratulation in possessing the largest pumping machinery of this type and of the greatest capacity in the world, and the contractors have reason to be proud of their work.”—­Proc.  Eng.  Club.

* * * * *

THE PART THAT ELECTRICITY PLAYS IN CRYSTALLIZATION.

Since the discovery of the multiplying galvanometer, we know for an absolute certainty that in every chemical action there is a production of electricity in a more or less notable quantity, according to the nature of the bodies in presence.  Though, in the play of affinity, there is a manifestation of electricity, is it the same with cohesion, which also is a chemical force?

We know, on another hand, that, on causing electricity to intervene, we bring about the crystallization of a large number of substances.  But is the converse true?  Is spontaneous crystallization accompanied with an appreciable manifestation of electricity?  If we consult the annals of science and works treating on electricity in regard to this subject, we find very few examples and experiments proper to elucidate the question.

Mr. Mascart is content to say:  “Some experiments seem to indicate that the solidification of a body produces electricity.”  Mr. Becquerel does more than doubt—­he denies:  “As regards the disengagement of electricity in the changing of the state of bodies, we find none.”  This assertion is too sweeping, for further along we shall cite facts that prove, on the contrary, that in the phenomena of crystallization (to speak of this change of state only) there is an unequivocal production of electricity.  Let us remark, in the first place, that when a number of phenomena of physical and chemical order incontestably testify to the very intimate correlation that exists between the molecular motions of bodies and their electrical state, it would not be very logical to grant that electricity is absent in crystallization.